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INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL-CULTURAL FACTORS ON WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN WILDLIFE CONSERVATION PROJECTS: A CASE OF NORTHERN RANGELAND TRUST SAMBURU COUNTY

Lelelit Lesaam Samson - Master of Arts in Project Planning and Management, University of Nairobi, Kenya

Prof. David Macharia EBS - University of Nairobi, Kenya

Dr. Kirema Nkanata Mburugu - University of Nairobi, Kenya

ABSTRACT

The gender and development theory (GAD) approach, through gender analysis, seeks to understand the roles, responsibilities, resources and priorities of women and men within a specific context, examining the social, economic and environmental factors which influence their roles and decision-making capacity. The purpose of this study was to establish the influence of social-cultural factors on women participation in wildlife conservation projects a case of Northern Rangeland Trust Samburu County. The specific objectives were; to establish the influence of cultural practices on women participation in wildlife conservation projects, to assess the influence of the level of education on women participation in wildlife conservation projects, to determine the influence of gender roles on women participation in wildlife conservation projects, to examine the effects of religious beliefs on women participation in wildlife conservation projects in Northern Rangeland Trust in Samburu County. Descriptive survey research design was used in this study. The target population was 213 members of staff in management position of Northern Rangeland Trust Samburu County where a sample of 64 respondents was selected. They were conservancy board, Management staff and Conservancy Scouts/rangers level project managers consulted or involved in the development projects undertaken between 2015 and 2016. Primary data was obtained using self-administered questionnaires. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Multiple regression analysis was used to establish the relations between the independent and dependent variables. The data was presented using frequency tables. The findings showed that cultural practices, level of education, gender roles and religious beliefs had a significant influence on women participation in wildlife conservation projects. The study also recommends that women should be encouraged to participate in the recruitment exercises and be given preferential treatment in order to motivate them otherwise the number of women participating in the wildlife conservations projects will decline despite the constitution giving women equity in the economic affairs of the country. The study further recommends that religious leaders should be encouraged to come up with teachings that are favorable to women. The hardline interpretation of the holy books should be softened such that women get to hold senior positions in religious leadership and stand a chance to influence policy legislation in the country.